FL-2023-054

Application Purpose: To replace twenty (20) 2010-2012 fixed route diesel buses with Proterra 40 ZX5 Max buses with configurable and parts; 1 power electronics depot charger with up to 15 dispensers at the Lynx Operations Center (LOC); five (5) Turtle Top Terra Transit Ford E450 Optimal EV cutaways with optional NeighborLink software to replace 2020 NeighborLink gasoline cutaways; 6 depot chargers including the design and construction that will be installed at three (3) strategic locations.

Activities Performed: Procurement of twenty (20) Proterra buses installation and procurement of 1 power electronic depot charger with up to 15 dispensers at the LOC. Procurement of five (5) Turtle Top Terra Transit EV cutaways design and construction of three (3) charging stations for NeighborLinks.

Expected Outcomes: Deploying battery electric buses and cutaways in place of fossil fuel vehicles will reduce energy consumption as the vehicles will consume less energy per mile than buses that use other common propulsion technologies. Operating battery electric buses and cutaways instead of comparable modern fossil fuel buses and cutaways will reduce the amount of energy that Lynx uses each year by 27000 gigajoules (GJ). Deploying the zero-emission buses and cutaways in place of the existing vehicles will reduce the Lynx's annual direct carbon (greenhouse gas) emissions by approximately 2441 metric tons and prevent the release of harmful emissions including 12760 g (grams) of particulate matter under 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) which has a considerable health impact on the local community. This reduction of direct carbon and harmful emissions results in a social cost savings of $306000 annually in accordance with Executive Order 13990. Lynx will also avoid 26 oil changes of approximately 20 quarts of oil per fixed route bus per year. That is 520 quarts (130 gallons) of oil saved. Additionally, Lynx will avoid 8 transmission fluid changes of approximately 23 quarts per fixed route bus per year.

Intended Beneficiaries: Lynx provides the bulk of its service in Orange County with a total of 58 links 43 that operate exclusively within Orange County 8 are shared with Osceola County and 7 are shared with Seminole County. Additionally, one route serves Lake/Orange County. Osceola County is served by a total of 13 links 5 that operate exclusively within Osceola County and 8 that are shared with Orange County/Lake/Osceola Counties. Seminole County is served by a total of 12 links 5 that operate exclusively in Seminole County and 7 that are shared with Orange County. An analysis conducted using the 2019 American Community Survey demonstrated the majority of the Lynx service area comprises of minority groups 52% Hispanic and African American including areas with 10-25+% minority populations. Some of the areas included are Altamonte Springs Apopka Casselberry Eatonville Kissimmee Lake Mary Longwood Maitland Ocoee Orlando Sanford St. Cloud Winter Garden and Winter Springs. This project will enable these communities to access sustainable transportation thus increasing mobility and access to employment medical care and other essential services that improve opportunity and quality of life for the impacted populations.

Subrecipient Activities: Not applicable. No subrecipient activities will be funded through this grant.

Central Florida Regional Transportation Authority

20.526 - Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs

FTA Region 4 [DOT - FTA]

FTA Office of Budget and Policy [DOT - FTA]

Florida United States

State-Wide

None

Infrastructure $16,132,025 (100%) percent this Project Grant was funded by the 2021 Infrastructure Act.